Loose leaf binder



Oct. 23, 1934. sc oss -r 1,977,897

LOOSE LEAF BINDER File'd May 1, 1933 2 Sheets-Sheet l INVENTORS BEA/JAM/N ficfiLossEp MM 0 Z/A/GEE ATTORNEY.

Oct. 23, 1934.

B. SCHLOSSER ET AL LOOSE LEAF BINDER Filed May 1, 1933 ZSheets-Sheet 2 INVENTORS BENJflM/A/ 55%.40555/2 PAUL O. (/A/GEP ATTORNEY.

Patented Oct. 23, 1934 LOOSE LEAF BINDER Benjamin Schlosser, Chicago, and Paul 0. Unger,

Glen Ellyn, 111., assignors to Wilson-J ones Company, Chicago, 111., a co setts rporation f Massachu- Application May 1, 1933, Serial No. 668,696

9 Claims.

This invention relates toprotectors for loose leaf binders to prevent the rings from pushing through the cover. The constant pressure of the rings against flexible covers soon causes the covers to lose their shape unless some means for pro tection is provided. Ring protectors for thistype of binder have been known for some time, as shown in Patent No. 1,818,999 issued to Edward E. Murphy, August 18, 1931. However, such ring protectors have been objectionable because the ring protector strips remain standing vertically when the covers of the binder are opened, and the sheets contained within the binder cannot lie flat against the covers.

It is an object of this invention to provide a ring protector which will position itself between the covers and the rings when the covers are closed, and will automatically lie fiat against the covers when the binder is opened in a horizontal plane. It is a furthercbject of this invention to provide a ring protector unit that may be assembled in a binder with a minimum of labor and expense. It is a further object of this invention to provide an easy and rapid method of assembling a pair of ring protector strips as a unit and later assembling the unit in a binder. It is a further object of this invention to provide a ring protector which may enhance the appearance of the completed binderby harmonizing with the inside of the binder. Other objects of this invention will become apparent upon reading the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which Figure 1 is a perspective view of a loose leaf binder embodying our invention;

Figure 2 is an exploded elevational view showing the various elements comprising the binder;

Figure 8 is a fragmentary perspective view showing a preferred embodiment of our improved ring protector unit;

Figure 4 is a fragmentary perspective view of a modified form of our improved ring protector unit; and

Figure is a fragmentary perspective view of another modified form of our improved ring protector unit.

In the drawings, the reference numerals 2 and 3 indicate a pair of cover members which are joined by a back section 4. The cover members 2 and. 3 and the back section 4 may all be formed of a single piece of leather or artificial leather if desired. A back plate 5 is positioned adjacent the back section 4 by means of a plurality of tongues 6 which project through slots (not shown) in the back section 4. A conventional ring metal flexible covers against the rings of aring binder.

7 isprovided with a spring plate 8 having a plurality of slots (not shown) through which the tongues 6 are adapted to' be extended. The tongues 6 arebent over against the inner face of the spring plate 8 to clamp the ring metal, 0

back section and back plate together.

The ring protector unit 9 is positioned between the back section 4 and thespring plate 8 of the ring metal. The clinching action of the tongues 6 against the inner surface of the spring plate 8 will cause the interposed ring protector unit to be securely retained in its proper position. The ring protector unit 9 includes a pair 'of ring protector strips 10 which are preferably formed of vulcanized fiber, but may be formed of metal, celluloid, phenolic condensation products, or any similar material having sufficient toughness and resiliency to prevent the distortion of the covers normally incident to the continued pressure of The strips 10 may be suitably colored to harmonize with the rest of thebinder.

The strips 10 are provided with aplurality of apertures. 11 adjacent their inner edges. A plurali'ty of straps 12 have their ends looped through matched apertures 11in the strips 10. The straps may be formed of metal or any suitable fabric. Bias woven fabric ispreferred'because of its flexibility and resistanceto stretching. Theends of the straps 12 may be secured to each other and 8 to the body portion of the strap by means of a wire staple 13, as shown in Figures 2 and 3. If the use of a wire staple is objectionable, the ends of the strap may be secured by glue or by suitable stitching. In the case of metal straps, the ends may be secured by bending them into contact with the body portion of the strap, as shown at 14, Figure 4.

In Figure 5 the straps 15 are formed as inte- 0 gral lateral extensions of a body member 16 extending parallel to the back section 4. The mem-- ber 16 is of less width than the ring metal 7 so that the body member is entirely concealed when it is positioned between the ring metal and the back section. The ends of the straps 15 may be secured in any manner above described.

The ring protector units, consisting of a pair of ring protector strips secured to opposite ends of a set of straps, may be assembled as units before the binders are assembled, and may be withdrawn from stock for use as the binders are manufactured. It is necessary only that the ends of the straps are secured with sufficient strength to hold the strips against separation until they l ring metal. i

are assembled in the binders. The clinching action of the tongues 6 is sufiicient to prevent separation of the ends of the straps after the unit is bound into a loose leaf binder.

The straps are of sufficient length so that the folded ends thereof extend a predetermined uniform distance from-either side of the ring metal 7. This distance is just long enough to provide room for a free swinging movement of the ring protector strips on the straps on which they are hinged, and is short enough to cause ,the ring protector strips to lie close to the ring metal so as to retain the neat appearance of the loose leaf binder. that when the binder is openedin a horizontal plane, as shown in Figure l, the strips will lie flat against the cover members; This enables the 'thanrestrictive, as many details maybe modified or changed without departing from the'spirit or scope of our invention. Accordingly, We do not desire to berestricted to the exact construction described except as limited by the appended claims.

We claim:

1.. In a loose leaf binder, a back member, a ring metal, a, pair .of ring protector strips, each of said ring protector strips being provided with an aperture adjacent its inner edge, and a strap looped through said apertures to prevent separationof said ring protector strips, said strap being clamped between said back member and said 2. In a loose leaf .binder, a ring protector consisting of two strips provided with apertures adjacent their inner edges and a strap threaded through said apertures, the end loops of said strap being closed to preventthe separation of either :the end loops of said straps being closed.

The strips possesssufiicient' weight 50 4. In a loose leaf binder, a back member, a ring metal, a plurality of straps extending transversely of said ring metal and having closed loops projecting beyond opposite edges thereof, and a pair of strips loosely hinged to said straps by means: of said closed loops.

. ..5. In. aloose leaf binder, a pair of covers, a back member, a ring metal, a plurality of straps clamped between said back member and said ring :.metal and having closed loops projecting beyond opposite edges of said ring metal, and a pair of strips loosely hinged to said straps by means of said closed loops, said strips being of suflicient weight to lie flat against said covers when said binder is opened with the covers in a horizontal plane.

6. In a loose leaf binder, a ring protector consisting of a pair of fiber strips provided with matched apertures adjacent their inner edges, and a flexible strap threaded through each pair ofmatChedapert-ures; each of said straps having its ends secured together.

7 Ina loose leaf binder, a ring protector conjacent their inner edges, and-a flexible strap threaded through each pair of matched apertures, the ends of said strap being stitched to the body of said strap.

8. In a loose leaf binderga back member, a ring 'fmetal,a pairof ring protector strips positioned on opposite sides of-said ring metal, said strips being provided with a plurality of apertures adjacent their inner edges, and a plurality of flexible straps each having one end looped through an aperture in one strip and its other end looped through an aperture in said other strip, said straps being clamped between said ring metal and'said back member.

9. In a loose leaf binder, a ring protectorineluding a body portion provided with a plurality of straps projecting laterally from said body portion, and a pair of protector strips provided with apertures adjacent their inner edges, said straps having their free ends looped through said aper- Y tures; I

BENJAMIN SCI-ILOSSER. PAU-L O. UNGER. 

